Home Of The Good Shepherd At Highpointe

Pros

• The staff at Home of the Good Shepherd are very friendly, caring, and treat residents like family.
• The facility offers a welcoming environment, with helpful and accommodating staff who go above and beyond to assist residents.
• Residents appreciate the option to personalize their living spaces by bringing in personal items and furniture.
• The community provides frequent activities that engage residents and promote social interaction.
• Overall, many visitors feel that the care provided is adequate and that the environment is comfortable for those living there.
• Some families have had positive experiences with the admission process, where staff showed exceptional understanding and support during challenging situations.

Cons

• The staff at Home of the Good Shepherd is inept, failing to properly care for residents and adequately communicate about incidents like falls.
• Residents often seem lonely and isolated, with many spending time alone rather than engaging with others.
• The facility appears more like a nursing home than an assisted living community, which may not meet the needs of all potential residents.
• There are significant staffing issues, leading to disgruntled employees and declining food quality due to a lack of adequate staffing.
• The care quality decreases notably once residents transition to enhanced or memory care wings, with reports of neglect regarding basic needs.
• Residents have been found unsupervised in potentially dangerous situations, suggesting inadequate monitoring by staff.
• Medications and treatments were administered without proper consultation or communication with family members, leading to negative health outcomes for residents.
• New administrative policies seem to restrict the rights and privileges of both residents and their families, causing dissatisfaction among families wanting to be involved in their loved ones' care.
• While some staff are friendly, the overall care environment has deteriorated significantly over time.

Review

The Home of the Good Shepherd (HOGS) has garnered a mix of reviews, highlighting both positive experiences and significant areas of concern regarding care quality. Many users have praised the overall atmosphere of the facility, emphasizing its welcoming environment. Visitors often noted how cordial the staff was during tours, with particular mention of a detailed and attentive guide who gave insight into daily operations. This friendly demeanor extended to other employees observed on-site, who were described as caring and engaging with residents.

However, while initial impressions can be favorable—such as the community’s size and friendliness—underlying issues began to surface when family members recounted their loved ones' experiences in more detail. One notable concern raised across several reviews was the apparent lack of adequate staffing and supervision, particularly for residents requiring higher levels of care. Families reported instances where their loved ones experienced falls or health issues that went unaddressed or were insufficiently managed by staff. For instance, one reviewer relayed how their mother fell out of bed multiple times without receiving proper attention or necessary equipment like bed rails for safety.

The discrepancy between care quality in assisted living versus enhanced or memory care sections drew particular scrutiny from reviewers. While some expressed satisfaction with activities designed for those in assisted living—a space described as offering engagement through regular activities—the experience drastically changed once individuals transitioned to memory care units. Here, families felt their loved ones were not given appropriate oversight, leading to neglectful situations where basic needs like oxygen supply weren't met adequately. Parents found themselves acting as caregivers during visits, tending to essential needs that should have been managed by facility staff.

Moreover, food quality emerged as another contentious point among residents and families alike. Some expressed disappointment over menu choices after a chef left for better pay elsewhere—alluding to a decline in standards at HOGS that mirrored concerns about staffing shortages impacting service quality overall. In conjunction with complaints regarding dietary restrictions being enforced without consideration for familial relationships (like feeding rules preventing family visits), it became evident that restrictions had begun diminishing personal enjoyment within the community.

Despite these glaring deficiencies in service delivery, some relatives also highlighted commendable instances where staff members went above and beyond to ensure smooth admissions or provided thoughtful moments amidst struggles with care limitations. It is important to distinguish between individual experiences; while one reviewer remembered an administrator making tremendous efforts during hospitalization transitions, others lamented operational decisions leading towards less resident autonomy.

Ultimately, families seeking placement options are urged to conduct thorough evaluations before committing their loved ones to HOGS due to fluctuating levels of attention directed toward residents’ wellbeing at various stages within the facility’s hierarchy—from assisted living environments appearing congenial initially down through memory care areas perceived more institutionalized over time. Though there are successes among compassionate staff members willing to help at critical moments like admissions or medical training assistance offered throughout stay durations compared against overarching systemic failings reflected in certain transitions carried out under pressure from rising demands yields an uneven portrait painted by user testimonials—a reminder for prospective clients wanting peace-of-mind while planning future accommodations tailored ideally toward individual needs sought within dedicated caregiving spaces such as nursing homes versus assisted living facilities like HOGS itself might denote competition.

Located in Ballston Spa, New York, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. Within close proximity, there is the Good Shepherd Retirement Center for those in need of specialized care and Saratoga Hospital for medical needs. Pharmacies such as CVS and Rite Aid are easily accessible for medication needs. Residents can also find a selection of physicians offices nearby, including Malta Medical Arts and Community Care. In terms of leisure activities, there are several restaurants like Dock Brown's and Lakeside Farms, as well as parks like Shenantaha Creek Park and Saratoga Spa State Park for outdoor enjoyment. Additionally, cafes such as Bailey's Cafe and Saratoga Coffee Traders provide cozy spots for relaxation. For entertainment, Criterion Cinemas 11 & BTX is just a short drive away. Transportation options are convenient with the Saratoga Springs station nearby. With its range of amenities and services, this area in Ballston Spa offers a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for seniors.

Hospitals

• Good Shepherd Retirement Center (0.1 miles)
• Saratoga Hospital (7.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (6.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.6 miles)
• Fallon Wellness Pharmacy (6.9 miles)
• Menges & Curtis (6.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.2 miles)

Physicians

• Malta Medical Arts (1.6 miles)
• Community Care (4.3 miles)
• Quad Med (5.8 miles)
• Dr Murray (6.4 miles)
• Jeffrey R Ridha (6.7 miles)
• Ridha, Jeffrey Dr - RIDHA Plastic Surgery & Med Spa (6.8 miles)
• Saratoga Schenectady Gastroenterology Associates (6.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Dock Brown's (2.3 miles)
• Lakeside Farms (5.2 miles)
• Classic Crust Pizza Bar (5.3 miles)
• Artisanal Brew Works (5.5 miles)
• Mexican Connection (5.9 miles)
• Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill (6 miles)
• 550 Waterfront (6 miles)

Parks

• Shenantaha Creek Park (2.4 miles)
• Saratoga Spa State Park- North Gate Booth (5 miles)
• Saratoga Spa State Park (5.2 miles)
• Congress Park Carousel (6.7 miles)
• Franklin Square (6.9 miles)
• High Rock Park (7.2 miles)

Cafes

• Bailey's Cafe (6.8 miles)
• Uncommon Grounds Coffee & Tea (6.8 miles)
• Saratoga Coffee Traders (6.9 miles)
• Kru Coffee (7.5 miles)

Theaters

• Criterion Cinemas 11 & BTX (6.9 miles)

Transportation

• Saratoga Springs station (7 miles)